President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. did not significantly reduce violent crime despite administration officials saying it did, a study from a policy think tank found. Outlets on the left framed the National Guard's presence as wasteful spending, while right outlets focused on other improvements to the city since Trump took office, such as a drop in theft.

The Details: The report, produced by the Niskanen Center, found that though opportunistic crime declined by 24%, violent crime was not largely affected by the Guard's presence. The study noted that violent crimes, including robberies, were already declining before Trump deployed the Guard. The Niskanen Center "promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent," according to its About page.

Why Wasn't It Effective? Axios (Lean Left bias) reported that researchers theorized this is because the Guard was deployed largely in tourist areas where opportunistic crimes, such as property and auto theft, are more common and more easily deterred by the visible presence of law enforcement. However, the Guard was not largely deployed to areas with higher rates of violence and poverty.

What Did It Cost? The Hill (Center) cited the report's findings that a National Guard member costs $607 per day, while a D.C. police officer costs $384 per day. According to the report, "the $185 million spent on the Guard over five months could instead fund more than 1,300 additional officer-years or, equivalently, more than 3,100 officers for five months." Ultimately, the Niskanen Center's report found that "the National Guard deployment was not a waste. It produced a significant reduction in property crime… But it was an expensive tool deployed in the wrong places for the wrong types of crime, at a daily cost per person 60 percent higher than an MPD [Metropolitan Police Department] officer."

Other Improvements to the City: Outlets on the right didn't offer much coverage on this story. However, Townhall (Right) reported that "President Trump Has Made Washington DC Beautiful Again," highlighting repairs to city fountains, cleaned statues, graffiti removals, and other improvements. It cited an X post from the White House, saying, "In just 14 months, @POTUS has restored our nation's capital, making it SAFE & BEAUTIFUL. 500+ instances of graffiti cleaned, 153 homeless encampments removed, 22 fountains restored, 28 statues cleaned, & more." Townhall also wrote that the city has "experienced the longest murder-free stretch in its history."

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President Trump named Federal Housing Director Bill Pulte to serve as the acting Director of National Intelligence, prompting media perspectives.

'Terrible Choice': The Washington Post's (Lean Left) Editorial Board called the decision a "terrible choice" outright in its headline and said Pulte could "inflict real damage" between now and January, the longest he can remain in his post until. The Board called Pulte a "partisan sycophant" who is "somehow" less competent than the previous intelligence director, Tulsi Gabbard. It concluded, "A good DNI is willing to speak truth to power… unleashing Pulte is not going to lead to better and more objective intelligence. His presence will undermine, or at least cast doubt, on the credibility of the intelligence community's work product."

'Astounding': Andrew C. McCarthy (Right) of National Review (Right) described Trump's previous appointment of Gabbard as "bad," but said the appointment of Pulte is "astounding." McCarthy said, "It seems obvious that Pulte's main credential to serve as acting national intelligence director is a willingness to pore over government files… and fit them into the political narrative that Trump's rivals must be charged with crimes." He concluded that he would rather eliminate the Office of the Director of National Intelligence "altogether" because it provides "minimal value" regardless of who is in charge, but that "it's not the way Washington works."

GOP Reaction: Politico (Lean Left) described the appointment as "a stick in the eye to the intelligence community and cause for celebration to his base." It prominently quoted Steve Bannon (Right), who said, "It's a middle finger to the Senate. A fuck you to the Deep State. The White House staff hates him because they can't control him." It also included quotes from several elected Republicans. Senate Intelligence Committee member John Cornyn (R-TX) said, "I don't see any evidence of his qualifications for that job, but I'm willing to listen." Sen. Tedd Budd (R-NC) called Pulte "an interesting choice" and said, "There's a lot of talented people that I probably would have considered."

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Over 30 gallons of diesel fuel have spilled on the National Mall in the last two weeks during preparations for a Freedom 250 event. Outlets differed in their coverage on whether the leaks were a result of vandalism or negligence.

The Details: The first spill occurred on May 17, leaking 30 gallons that seeped into underground water cisterns used to irrigate the Mall, according to NBC News (Lean Left bias). The second incident was May 27. The New York Times (Lean Left) reported that the fuel came from supply lines connected to diesel-powered lighting systems installed for the Great American State Fair. It's uncertain how many total gallons have leaked from both spills. Cleanup efforts are underway by the National Park Service. According to several outlets, drinking water was unaffected.

Claims of 'Vandalism': The New York Post (Lean Right) reported the leakages as a result of vandalism, presenting it as a fact, whereas other outlets on the left and in the center said Trump officials "claim vandalism," but the investigation is still ongoing. The Post, Washington Times (Lean Right) and NBC News quoted a Freedom 250 spokesperson saying, "Our equipment has been repeatedly targeted by vandals. The recent fuel leak was the direct result of that tampering." 

The New York Times wrote that causes of the spills are "contested." It noted claims of vandalism, but wrote, "It was unclear how vandals would have reached the fuel lines." The Times also cited contradictory reports, including one from US Park Police attributing the second spill to an "unknown individual intentionally cut[ting] the fuel line," and others attributing it to a supply line failure and lack of required containment measures.

Environmental Impacts: Outlets on the left and in the center also generally highlighted the potential environmental impact. NBC quoted "people familiar with the matter" who said the spill "adds to doubt about the future of the grass on the National Mall," which is already experiencing high-foot-traffic from upcoming events. Newsweek (Center) emphasized these same concerns. New York Times wrote that diesel evaporates slower than gasoline, so it "can remain in the environment for extended periods." It also noted the spills "do not appear to have been disclosed to the public or to [DC] authorities."

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